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Cruise Ship Terrorism?
NewsMax ^
| 12/03/02
| Christopher Ruddy
Posted on 12/03/2002 2:18:47 PM PST by Heartlander2
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To: Heartlander2
Thought of terrorism came to my mind.
Then again, I know cruise lines hire many people from 3rd world countries at very low wages and long working hours. That is why ships usually stop at a foreign port, so they are under international not domestic labor laws.
Maybe some employees are getting even by making the passengers sick? Or maybe there are cells aboard?
2
posted on
12/03/2002 2:32:11 PM PST
by
NEWwoman
To: NEWwoman
Bump on the hirings, exactly. I've believed this since the third ship, hundreds of passengers.
3
posted on
12/03/2002 2:33:51 PM PST
by
JustPiper
To: Heartlander2
Now is neither the time for censorship of important matter nor the time for hysteria. Trouble is, given the general educational level and critical thinking skills of the American public, it's an either/or proposition. If there is evidence of a terrorism link, and it's not suppressed, there will be hysteria.
To: NEWwoman
Holland American's service staff is hired specifically from Indonesia and Malaysia, countries with predominantly Muslim populations. It only takes one.
To: JustPiper
They haven't said with certainty that it was norwalk..just a "norwalk-type virus".
6
posted on
12/03/2002 2:42:16 PM PST
by
pitinkie
To: Heartlander2
This is by no means beyond possibility. We were at a ranch once on vacation and one guest unknowingly carried the virus in and darn near had the entire place in bed for 2 days. Not old ironsides here, BTW. This could be intentionally done.
7
posted on
12/03/2002 2:43:40 PM PST
by
Bahbah
To: Heartlander2
Apparently the cause is being blamed on the same virus; but what are the odds of three ships sailing from and to different ports all becoming contaminated within a period of a couple weeks? I think the number must be astronomical. Several other questions then come to mind: is it the same strain of Norwalk virus? Were the water supplies of these ships examined for the virus? Have the crew member lists been checked for Arab nationals? How easy is it to cultivate this organism in the lab?
8
posted on
12/03/2002 2:44:43 PM PST
by
45Auto
To: Heartlander2
Alas, it's just a flu-like bug that's going around on land, as well as on sea. Several people in my office were stricken with it over the Thanksgiving holiday. The deal is, when you're on ship, the quarters are much closer, and it's easier to spot large numbers of cases.
9
posted on
12/03/2002 2:47:04 PM PST
by
r9etb
To: Heartlander2
Cruise Ship Terrorism?Absolutely, watch for more "sick" ships in the nearest future, lots of moslems from mideastern countries working those ships, all it takes to contaminate water supply with anything containing virus, could be as small as a pin head.
I refuse taking any cruise until they get rid of those ragheaded workers there.
To: 45Auto
Water supplies were checked and clean. What I wonder about is the contamination of dinnerware or silverware. Then contamination source would be washed clean the next service, but the infected would carry the virus and do the rest. So, periodic scans of silver and plate ware are mandatory. And keep a watch over the salad bars and buffets.
To: Yakboy
Scary!
12
posted on
12/03/2002 2:53:09 PM PST
by
NEWwoman
To: Heartlander2
Oh, come on now.
I can't imagine Osama or Saddam targeting a cruise ship with a "FLU LIKE" virus. They would use smallpox or something much bigger.
Norwalk virus is the second most common virus in the world. It is a media event, with every case being reported.
Here in Utah, I have heard of a restraunt closed twice in the last 3 weeks for Norwalk.
Wear tin foil if you must, but this isn't something Osama would do.
13
posted on
12/03/2002 2:55:54 PM PST
by
Lokibob
To: r9etb
I don't think it's a flu-like virus. Flu's a respiratory illness, this is strictly GI. And I could see crews infecting themselves over and over until the virus works its way through everyone. What's the incubation period for this virus, anyway, anyone know?
14
posted on
12/03/2002 2:56:00 PM PST
by
mewzilla
To: Heartlander2
I'm skeptical...after all, every PASSENGER is not "sanitized" before boarding and the ships do stop at ports of call during the cruise.
To: NEWwoman
This most resembles the original Legionnaire's Disease outbreaks.
To: Lokibob
"I can't imagine Osama or Saddam targeting a cruise ship with a "FLU LIKE" virus. They would use smallpox or something much bigger."
The recent outbreaks may represent a field trial run. All we see on TV is crew members wiping down surfaces with disinfectants of questionable efficacy. It does not appear that they are addressing the most likely sources of infection, namely water and air conditioning units and ductwork.....
17
posted on
12/03/2002 3:04:30 PM PST
by
tracer
To: mewzilla
I don't think it's a flu-like virus. Flu's a respiratory illness, this is strictly GI. Well, OK. I've always associated flu with barfing and diarrhea, but I guess I've been wrong all this time...
All I can tell you is that a doctor told one of my co-workers he had the same thing that they were getting on the ships.
18
posted on
12/03/2002 3:05:29 PM PST
by
r9etb
To: Lokibob
BTW, I forgot to mention ice machines and leaks in sewer pipes which contaminate potable water lines.....
19
posted on
12/03/2002 3:07:47 PM PST
by
tracer
To: tracer
From the Association of State and Territorial Directors of Health Promotion and Public Health Education web site:
Norwalk Virus Infection
- Norwalk virus infection is an intestinal illness that often occurs in outbreaks.
- Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses are increasingly being recognized as leading causes of foodborne disease in the United States.
- The viruses are passed in the stool of infected persons. People get infected by swallowing stool-contaminated food or water. Outbreaks in the United States are often linked to raw oysters.
- Infected people usually recover in 2 to 3 days without serious or long-term health effects.
How common is Norwalk virus infection?
Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses are increasingly being recognized as leading causes of foodborne disease in the United States. However, since no routine diagnostic test is available, the true prevalence is not known. Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses have been linked to outbreaks of intestinal illness on cruise ships and in communities, camps, schools, institutions, and families.
Many oyster-related outbreaks of intestinal illness linked to Norwalk-like viruses have been reported in Louisiana, Florida, Maryland, and other states where oyster harvesting is common. In 1993, 73 people in Louisiana and about 130 others in the United States who ate oysters from Louisiana became ill. A malfunctioning sewage system was the cause of an outbreak in 1996. An outbreak in 1997 was linked to sewage from oyster-harvesting boats.
20
posted on
12/03/2002 3:10:54 PM PST
by
Lokibob
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